Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

TCL snags global deal to build n'flog BlackBerrys

Canadian smart phone maker passes baton to the Chinese

Chinese giant TCL has snagged the global contract to design, make and sell BlackBerry-branded phones. The deal applies to all but four countries: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Licensing isn’t a major departure for the company formally known as TCT (TCL Communication Holdings Ltd) – it’s been doing it for a decade. TCL bought the Palm name last year, and the Alcatel tag a decade ago, which it uses to brand its phones outside China.

BlackBerry used a TCL reference design to create the DTEK50 and DTEK60 Android phones. (The phones are better than the name) TCL marketed variants of the designs as the Alcatel Idol 4, and Idol 4S.

BlackBerry had been unable to make the phone division pay its way. BlackBerry will continue to develop its “hardened” Android – and a suite of productivity apps. BlackBerry’s uses a different kernel, boots in a secure mode and each device has unique cryptographic keys. BlackBerry also issues hotfixes and monthly patches, and has even beaten Google in getting these out more promptly to users.

The TCL group also makes white goods: fridges, TVs and aircon units, as well as TVs and display panels. Phone volumes are down from last year, but it still ships between 4m and 6m “smart devices” a month. The communications part of the group took home HK28bn ($3bn) last year. By its own estimation, TCL is among the top four phone vendors in the US.

BlackBerry has one more phone to ship before TCL and others take over completely. That one may or may not look like this. ®

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like